European stocks advanced for a second day after ABB Ltd. reported earnings that beat analysts’ estimates and Bayer AG said profit rose almost fivefold.
France Telecom SA had the biggest gain in six months as first-quarter sales unexpectedly rose. Anglo American PLC and Xstrata PLC pared the advance after metal prices slid.
Of the 16 Dow Jones Stoxx 50 companies that have reported results so far this quarter, 10 have topped estimates, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Better-than-expected earnings from Boeing Co. and Amazon.com Inc. helped push the U.S. Dow Jones industrial average above 13,000 for the first time Wednesday.
The Stoxx 600 gained 0.1 percent. The Stoxx 50 also added 0.1 percent and the Euro Stoxx 50 climbed 0.2 percent.
ASIA REBOUNDS: Asian stocks rose the most in a week after companies including Honda Motor Co. reported earnings that beat analysts’ estimates, and higher oil and metals prices lifted commodities producers.
Eight of the 10 industry groups included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International Asia-Pacific index advanced.
